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MP for Redcar Ian Swales welcomes plan to improve science education

AN MP has told of his frustration that local employers can’t find local people with the skills they need.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, made his comments on an article he has written about how science education needs to be improved to help the chemical industry, vital for Teesside’s economy.

He said he was pleased the Government appeared to be investing more money into science education which would help ensure the industry could recruit local employees with relevant skills.

In the article, published on the Lib Dems’ Voice website, Mr Swales explained there were about 50 chemical companies on Teesside.

He said: “It is very frustrating to hear employers say they can’t find local employees with the skills they need. Science education has been downgraded in schools and the UK just hasn’t been producing the scientists and engineers the country needs. I am pleased to see the Government investing more in science and setting up Technology Innovation Centres.”

Anna Turley, Labour’s candidate for Redcar for the next General Election, argued that in fact more needed to be done to improve youth skills.

In a response article to Mr Swales, she said: “There needs to be a more integrated approach to skills. A sub-regional version of the Future Jobs Fund, successful under the last Labour Government, could be initiated to get young people into work.”

The headline on Mr Swales’ article, not written by Mr Swales himself, misspelled Teesside by missing the second ‘s.’ Several people commented on Twitter and Mr Swales’ office ordered it to be changed after being contacted by The Northern Echo.